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Dusty Butterfly Painting Completed

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I have put another painting on THE STORY EMPORIUM wall, this one is of The Dusty Butterfly who plays quite a large role in “A Trashy Novel” –  my latest book that is in the editing stage… hooray! While writing this novel I thought I would never see the end of it but finally after years of thinking and percolating ideas then 2 years of putting it together I finally have the evidence of a finished piece of work. When I wrote and illustrated my three picture books the same process took place where I felt hopeless and couldn’t finish. I have to say the novel was the worst of all four books when it came to the ominous feeling of complete and utter doom that I would never reach the end. The great part is the more I wrote it and got to know each character and how they all related to each other the plots twisted into each other naturally and a real world full of fantasy blossomed and came to life. What a feeling of accomplishment! All I have to say at this point in the process is I truly hope you come to love and enjoy the characters I created and get lost in the world I created for them. If you do then I can happily say, I’ve done my job. 

Thank you everyone who follows my work and especially those who pass the word on about it to their friends. It’s through you that my work becomes known and enjoyed by others and to be quite honest is what makes the many hours of creating worth it. 

Please feel free to visit my studio any Saturday at http://www.thestoryemporium.org and see what my latest creations are. 

Until next time…. keep creating!

Erin 

art · author · Book signing · bookstore · Children's Books · fireplace · illustrator · Literature · Picture Books · Story Emporium · Storytellers

RI Monthly Magazine Visits The Story Emporium

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First off let me say that RI Monthly Magazine is a wonderful publication with amazing workers. They came to The Story Emporium and spent the entire day taking in the atmosphere and if I’m not mistaken, we had a wonderful time! I am excited to say we will be featured in the March issue in the “CURRENT” section edited by Jamie Coelho so be sure to keep yours eyes peeled for that piece!

I am also thrilled to announce that my wonderful Mom has completed my 1700’s style steampunk outfit for me to wear at The Story Emporium on Saturday’s during The Farmer’s Market. I chose this outfit to wear not only because I love the Steampunk era/style but also because my novel coming out this year is reminissant of this period clothing so I have decided to conduct all of my book signings for “A Trashy Novel” in this amazing new costume.

So if you happen to see a victorian style dressed woman wandering the halls of The Farmer’s Market at The Hope Artiste Village be sure to follow her into The Story Emporium because you can bet there will be a children’s author or illustrator waiting inside by the fireplace reading to children, doing crafts, and signing their own books!

So in summary I would like to thank the wonderful team at RI Monthly for coming out to do a story on our cozy little corner of The Hope Artiste Village at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket RI as well as my beautiful Mother who works so hard everyday to keep The Story Emporium looking beautiful.

Thanks so much to everyone involved in the creation and upkeep of the THE STORY EMPORIUM. I believe so deep in my heart that we can change the lives of all our little readers whether it be helping them read, expanding their talents in art and writing, or just giving them a safe haven to sit in a world of make-believe for a little while. Let’s all keep up the good work together!

                      Erin T. Whalen

            Children’s Author & Illustrator    

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art · author · Book signing · bookstore · Children's Books · fireplace · illustrator · Literature · Picture Books · Story Emporium · Storytellers

Thanks to Community We Thrive!

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Leslie Bulion joined us today and educated us on so many different types of BUGS! She is an unbelievably talented poet and an all around wonderful person. I interviewed her for our ‘AUTHORS CLUBHOUSE’ show and will post that in our Author’s Clubhouse link on this blog as soon as the edit gets finished.

I have to say it touches me deeply to be able to meet so many wonderful children’s authors and illustrators. I feel so honored to meet with each and every one of them. Being an author/illustrator myself I know how hard the process can be and it really helps to connect with those authors around me and learn their techniques and writing styles.

I dressed up in my new ‘steampunk’ costume that my Mother crafted for me and will be wearing more often. It just brought a bit of light and fun to emporium today and that is what I want The Story Emporium to be. FUN. Sure it’s a place for children to visit each week and meet with a different children’s author or illustrator but I find we have a sense of warmth and family there as well. Many customers look forward to returning every week and that makes me very happy. It makes me feel as though I am part of something bigger than myself. I have a real sense of community when I turn the key in the door and open The Story Emporium to the public.

I encourage anyone who hasn’t stopped by on a Saturday to do so and experience the pure joy we get from each other. It has done more than met my expectations, it has grown into a magical place and continues to branch out and touch people weekly.

I want to thank RI Monthly magazine for taking the time to come to visit with us and get our story out to those who don’t yet know our hideaway in The Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket RI. Please everyone, keep your eye out for the March Issue of The RI Monthly and do comment on this blog as to what you think of the article and feel free to ask us any questions here.

Like I said, My goals of becoming a place of community where children and authors can meet, chat, and be mentored has grown so fast and into so much more than I could have ever imagined.

Thank you to everyone out there who has been spreading the word and please continue to let everyone you know that we are here for your retail needs, social needs, book and movie groups, and writing workshops as well. We are continually growing and look forward to having you grow right along with us.

From the bottom of my heart…. Erin T Whalen

2011 · 2012 · Balance · Good and bad · New Year · Resolution · Universe

End of a great year…

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2011 was a crazy year. As I look back to reflect I can’t believe what major things have happened in my life and all in one year to boot! I didn’t blog a lot but I did write it all down in my journal / morning pages. I had wonderful things and terrible things happen, the spectrum was wide and all of it was excellent. By excellent I mean that I can take away from these experiences great writing whether it’s weaved into a fictional piece or written as a memoir. Through reflection I can see that is what’s important about all the events in our lives. To take the emotion away from the experience and learn from it, write about it and celebrate it.

I have decided I am going to write a list of all the good things and all the bad things that happened to me this year. I challenge all of you to do the same. I am willing to bet we all strike a pretty good balance and those who don’t I imagine next year will bring that balance for you. It is a fact that all good can’t happen to one person or for that matter all bad. What goes up must come down right? It’s true, when things are going really bad for me I always remember that the universe tends to balance things off and good will be on its way in no time. It seems to always prove right unless I’m a crazy optimist and am making it all up. (I do make things up)

So I am off to write my balanced list to see if it is in fact balanced or unbalanced and only then will I know what the New Year has in store for me.

Good luck with yours!

Erin

A YEAR OF ARTWORK BY ME:

Goggles must be worn in the underground
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We have a new book coming into the Emporium!

Erin T. WhalenLeave a comment

We have just got word that “Ruth the Sleuth” by Carol Ekster is on its way to The Story Emporium and will be for sale as soon as we put it on our shelves! We are so excited Carol. Thanks so much for sending them along to us.

art · author · Book signing · bookstore · Children's Books · christmas · fireplace · gift · illustrator · Literature · Picture Books · Story Emporium · Uncategorized · water color

Our Wednesday Visiting Author is….

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Good Morning! I would like to announce that tonight from 4-7 Joan Creamer will be fireside at The Story Emporium signing her MAGIC SEPTER SERIES. A beautifully illustrated series of picture books. Joan is not only the author but the illustrator as well. Come visit us tonight and purchase a present that will surely touch someone’s heart this Holiday season.

author · Book signing · Children's Books · divorce · fireplace · Picture Books · Story Emporium · Storytellers · Uncategorized

Wednesday Author Visit

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This Wednesday, November 30th come to The Story Emporium to meet Carol Ekster! She will be signing her books from 4-7pm. 

Did you ever loose something, because your room was so messy? That is exactly what happened to Ruth the Sleuth.  As she searches her very messy room for a potholder she borrowed from her mother.  Ruth the Sleuth gets distracted again and again by the wonderful items she finds within her mess. But, will she be able to find her mom’s potholder in time to have cookies with her friend, Zack? 

Where am I Sleeping Tonight?

“Ever wake up and not know where you are?  Not sure if your homework is due today or tomorrow?  Can’t remember if you have hockey practice tonight? Forgot your homework at your Mom’s and now you’re at your Dad‘s and can’t get it done? Welcome to the world of Mark and Evan…ever since their parents‘ divorce their lives and schedules have been scrambled leaving them feeling confused, frustrated, and even a little angry with their parents for getting a divorce.  But with time, effort, and the assitance of Mark’s parents and teacher, Mark gets a little more organized, and most importantly, starts to come to terms with his parents’ divorce.”

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Pied Piper

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The Pied Piper Visited The Story Emporium

The Pied Piper came to The Story Emporium today to recite a poem. He wore so many different hats! Thank you so much for the visit Mr. Pied Piper of Hamlin!

A Trashy Novel · art · artists · back pain · books · carnival · charlie's head · charlies · Charlies Head Series · disability · erin · head · illustration · illustrator · kids and parents · middle · norberg · novel · Original Oil Painting · pain · Painting · spinal · steampunk · Story · The Story Emporium · underground · whalen · Writing studio

Post Surgery

Erin T. Whalen3 Comments

Well I went ahead and did it. I had the spine surgery I swore I never would have. I was losing the use of my right arm and hand and fast! The doctors told me I may never draw again. What is an artist to do? Soooo, I took myself to the hospital (well my Mom did) and I went into the operating room hesitant mind you. But I did go in and thats what counts. Although my back problems are not cured I did regain the use of my right arm…whew! I am hoping that with my new cadaver bone (yes you heard me correctly) in my neck will work much better now, although the Doctors make no promises. I do want to show you some finished pieces I had not put up before. These pieces are for sale and can be found at THE STORY EMPORIUM in The Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket RI on 1005 Main Street. Check them out:

 

 

 

.Charlie in “A Trashy Novel”

Dripping Zippers
Dripping Zippers
The State of RI
The State of RI
art · artists · carnival · charlie's head · charlies · Charlies Head Series · childrens · erin · head · illustration · illustrator · kids and parents · novel · Painting · parenting · school vacation · steampunk mixed media clown · Story · The Story Emporium · whalen · Writing studio

Scituate Arts Festival

Erin T. WhalenLeave a comment

it’s 6:45am and I wanted to drop you a note to let you know that I am heading to the Scituate Arts Festival in about an hour. This year I am selling prints of my newest artwork along with The Charlie’s Head Series picture books. “A Trashy Novel” will be out in fall 2012 but you can come see the illustrations for the novel. (I do have some prints of the artwork for “A Trashy Novel”)I also have my new art studio calendar on display so be sure to take one when you visit.

The festival runs from 9-6 and is today, Sunday, and Monday so you have plenty of time to get there. I will be the one dressed in the witch costume on the front lawn of the public library.

Thanks for reading my blog and I hope to see you there!

Erin